Acrylic and Acrylic fabric

Acrylic fabric is a type of fabric made from acrylic fibers, and was
first manufactured by the DuPont Company. DuPont no longer
manufactures acrylic fabric, but it is still widely manufactured
throughout the world. It does use a chemically produced substance
called acrylonitrile, which is also used in the production of
plastics. Acrylonitrile tends to break down easily in the environment,
though there is some argument on this point. High levels of
acrylonitrile exposure might be considered toxic, but the quick break
down often keeps acrylic fabric marketed as environmentally friendly.

Acrylic fabric is used widely in knits, as upholstery covering, and
the fibers may be woven to make rugs. People often think of acrylic
fabric as an excellent wool substitute, and certain forms of it are
exceptionally soft, while remaining lightweight. Certain cashmere
substitutes are made with acrylic fabric and are considered as good or
better than cashmere in softness and appearance. Some woven garments
may contain an acrylic blend with natural fibers.

Early acrylic fabric was prone to pilling, and washing it regularly
could cause the top of the fabric to have a worn appearance. To this
end, Monsanto Chemical Company developed a chemical process called
Pil-Trol® that keeps acrylic fabric from pilling. This has proven
helpful, but acrylic fabric still requires gentle care, may need to be
dry-cleaned or at the very least washed in cold water on gentle cycle
in your washing machine. The more carefully you treat acrylic fabric,
the more likely the garment will last longer and retain a "new"
appearance. For best results, always follow the garment's tags for
cleaning care.

Acrylic fabric has grown popular in a variety of sports garments. The
National Football League, for instance has acrylic socks as part of
their standard uniform. You will often have to purchase acrylic socks
for kids playing baseball, football or soccer. Socks in acrylic fabric
are a great choice because they keep their shape and can be highly
elastic. They may be a better choice for hikers, because you are far
more likely to get blisters from cotton blend socks than from those
made of acrylic.

Acrylic fabric is favored for a variety of other reasons. It is warm,
can be quite soft, holds color well, and is both stain and wrinkle
resistant. These can make acrylic fabric a popular choice, and for
those who love wool but are allergic to it, acrylic can be an
excellent substitute.

When acrylic fabric was first made, it was often thought "cheap" and
not as valuable as natural fiber garments. Some early acrylic fabrics
weren't comfortable and were quite itchy. New manufacturing processes
have mainly solved these issues, and many prefer acrylic to natural
fibers because it tends to be easier to care for.
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